Richmond, VA – A powerful winter storm continues to blanket much of Virginia on Monday, prompting officials to urge drivers to stay off the roads as hazardous conditions persist and emergency crews struggle to keep up with a surge in crashes.
As of 11 a.m. Monday, Virginia State Police reported responding to 475 crashes across the Commonwealth since the onset of the storm, including 36 with injuries and two fatalities. One deadly crash occurred Saturday evening in Fairfax County but was not weather-related, while a second, storm-linked fatal crash took place Sunday evening in Pittsylvania County.
VDOT officials said plow crews are still working to clear primary routes and are beginning to reach secondary and subdivision roads. Authorities warned that ongoing snowfall and icy conditions could delay emergency responses to stranded motorists and other incidents.
State Police released a breakdown of crashes by division:
- Division 1 (Central Virginia/Richmond): 100 crashes, 3 with injuries
- Division 2 (Northwest Virginia/Winchester/Harrisonburg): 39 crashes, 4 with injuries
- Division 3 (Central/Western Virginia/Appomattox): 48 crashes, 6 with injuries
- Division 4 (Southwest Virginia): 64 crashes, 5 with injuries
- Division 5 (Hampton Roads): 113 crashes, 9 with injuries
- Division 6 (Western Virginia/Roanoke): 55 crashes, 5 with injuries, one fatal in Pittsylvania County
- Division 7 (Northern Virginia): 56 crashes, 4 with injuries, one non-weather-related fatal in Fairfax County
Key points:
- Virginia State Police responded to 475 crashes statewide as of Monday morning
- Two fatal crashes reported — one weather-related in Pittsylvania County
- Drivers urged to stay off roads while VDOT crews work to clear snow and ice
Officials continue to urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel, give plow and emergency vehicles space to operate, and prepare for extended response times as the storm’s impacts linger across the state.
